Patrick Fontes will read passages from his vampire novel, Blood Set.

Blood Set is a vampire novel, yet it goes beyond the usual Northern and Eastern European-based Vampire and Dracula traditions. The novel is set in the Central California city of Fresno, which is dark and dystopian by nature in real life and the perfect setting for this modern day, Gothic tale. There are 3 main factions in the book, although the narrative mentions other covens in cities throughout the SW and Mexico, and even Japan. Blood Set follows a family of vampires in the dystopian Central California city of Fresno. With roots that go back to the Olmecs, the De Alba coven practices ancient blood magic rituals and observes holy days honored by the Aztecs. Each of the coven’s vampires has a rich history either going back to Medieval Spain or Mesoamerica, and all share a history in Colonial Mexico. The main coven consists of a family of vampires that live on a ranch outside of Fresno. Their blood rituals go all the way back to the Mayans and more specifically, the Aztecs. I have woven historical elements throughout the narrative, all the main characters have historical backstories, so that I am envisioning sequels and prequels. There are two other groups that are at odds with the main vampire group, another splinter family that has become addicted to the blood of meth addicts in Fresno, and essentially have become meth addicts themselves. If vampires couldn’t get any darker, this coven has. The other group is a pack of werewolves that live in the hills above Fresno near Yosemite, whose roots go back to pre-Roman empire Germany. Yes, it all sounds a bit cliché, but it is not. All three groups pull from Mexican-Chicano and punk rock music and fashion. The werewolves are German-origin and identify with the skinhead scene, though not Nazis. The novel is gritty, dark, fun (especially with the music they play) and capturing. Think Lost Boys, mixed with the Mayans MC tv series, Wednesday if it were on HBO, with a layer of Goth-Punk and Chicano Lowrider culture.

Patrick Fontes grew up in Fresno, where he lives and teaches today. He received an MA in history from CSUF, and a PhD in American History from Stanford University.  Patrick’s poetry has appeared in multiple journals, including La Bloga, The Mas Tequila Review, and The Acentos Review. Patrick is also an avid and published photographer: www.patfontesart.com Floricanto Press published Patrick’s first novel “Maria’s Purgatorio,” in 2017. Bone & Ink Press published his first poetry collection in 2019, titled “Mountains of Rust.” “Blood Set,” Patrick’s second novel, is first in a series. Patrick is Professor of US History at Clovis Community College and teaches Chicano Studies at Fresno State.